Two teams with winning starts to their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaigns will face off on Sunday night, as Spain travels to Turkey for a pivotal Group E showdown.
Both sides began their campaigns with victories on Thursday. Spain secured a comfortable 3-0 win over Bulgaria, with goals from Mikel Oyarzabal, Marc Cucurella, and Mikel Merino. Meanwhile, Turkey had to hold on for a thrilling 3-2 victory against Georgia, after a late comeback attempt from their opponents.
Turkey’s Attacking Force Faces a Major Test
The Turkish national team, managed by Vincenzo Montella, will be looking to build on their performance against Georgia, a match that saw them take a commanding 3-0 lead before a late scare. The goals came from Mert Müldür and a brace from Kerem Aktürkoğlu.
The team is expected to field an unchanged starting lineup, with Aktürkoğlu leading the attack and Real Madrid’s young star Arda Güler pulling the strings as the number 10. Juventus’ Kenan Yıldız will also be a key figure in the forward line, while captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu will anchor the midfield.
While Turkey reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2024, they have not qualified for a World Cup since 2002. Facing Spain presents a significant challenge, as Turkey has only defeated La Roja twice in their history, with their last win coming back in 1967.
Spain Aims to Maintain Momentum
Spain, the reigning Euro 2024 champions, will be aiming to solidify their position at the top of Group E. Manager Luis de la Fuente is expected to field a similar lineup to the one that defeated Bulgaria, but there are some questions about the fitness of Barcelona’s young star, Lamine Yamal. Despite suffering a back injury, Yamal is expected to be fit for the match.
Spain’s recent form is formidable, having won their last three matches against Turkey, including a 3-0 victory at Euro 2016. A win in Istanbul would put them in a commanding position to automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
The match is expected to be a tight contest, with Turkey’s potent attack likely to test Spain’s defense, but La Roja’s overall quality and experience make them favorites to secure a crucial three points.
